Renie Irene Grace Littlewood Obituary (1907 - 2009)

Renie Littlewood BRIGHAM CITY- Renie Irene Grace Littlewood, 101 passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Willow Glen Health and Rehab. Renie was born on January 16, 1907, a daughter of Fred and Rose Hammond in Sitting Bourne, Kent, England. Little did they know at that time what an intelligent daughter they would raise. Her father named her Irene only because he couldn't remember the name they had decided on. He knew it had a rene in it. It was supposed to be Renie. So her name is Renie Irene. She started school when she was three. When she was five years old, the family moved to Canada to find work. Later moving to Utah. She was ahead of her class in school by about three grades. She was good in math. She frustrated the teacher because she would have the numbers added up almost before he finished putting them on the board. The teacher finally made her turn around until he got the numbers on the board so the other children would have a chance. She knew what she wanted to do in life and worked toward that goal. She attended and graduated from LDS business college in Salt Lake City. She was employed at several places: Utah Industries, McCune School of music, LDS church board of education working for Adam S. Bennion, Deseret Book Store. Hansen Furniture in Brigham City, Judge Jones, Box Elder Board of Education, and Drewes Floral. She met Horace William Littlewood and they fell in love and were married in the Logan Temple October 25, 1928. After their marriage she started teaching piano lessons in her home. She had 35 students, teaching six days a week. She also got into Family History along with her husband and handed thousands of names into the temples to have their temple work done. She decided to quit when computers came out. Her mother-in-law sewed temple clothes for the Felt Funeral Home. She decided to help and sewed temple aprons for many burials, also for her family and others who wanted her to make aprons for them. She enjoyed writing poetry. Many of her poems have been published in poetry magazines and in the Relief Society Magazine. She was named International Poet of the year for four years in a row. She wrote Christmas programs for Sunday School, for Stake meetings in Relief Society, and ward relief society programs. The writing talent she did pass on, but the poetry part she kept to herself. She has written music for different occasions and had one published by John Schaum. She was a member of the Symphonic Choir for 20 years. She did a lot of crocheting, of tablecloths and lace for pillow cases, doilies and made dozens of quilts. Like to go camping, hiking, and go on long rides. She has always been active in the church and held many positions. She was on the relief society stake board for many years as secretary and cultural refinement teacher. Ward organist for many years and Gospel Doctrine teacher until age 90. She always goes the extra mile her church teaching and taught her children to do the same. She knows the gospel frontwards and backwards and sideways. She always had a book in her hands. She really is an intelligent person with many talents that she has graciously shared with others. Surviving are her daughters; Marion Holmberg, Roseanne Kunzler, both of Mereno Valley, CA; Adrianne (Orval) Bott, Brigham City, UT 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 38 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Gladys, Kathleen, grandchildren, Kerry, Randall and Cindy. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary Chapel, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, UT. Friends may call on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 12:00 to 12:40 p.m. at the Mortuary. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. Special thanks to Craig Cazier and Max Wolf her neighbors, also Page, Teri and Ted from Alpine Hospice for their patience and kindness. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 January 21, 2009 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 January 22, 2009 1:00 PM CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery 325 South 300 East Brigham City, Utah 84302 January 22, 2009